Week 7 college football preview

Sorry for the delays everyone. I am without a PC at this time, so this preview was done and sent via my ipod Touch. Hope to be back up to speed as soon as possible.

The game of the week is still the Red River Shootout, because it has huge implications for the post season. Texas fell to 3 in the latest polls, mainly because although they are undefeated they have not played well against mediocore competition. Last week the Colorado defense was able to keep the Longhorn offense in check for most of the game. This is the same defense that allowed 54 point to Toledo. If the Oklahoma defense can bring their A game as they have for more of the season, Texas is going to struggle to move the ball. Their best bet is to hope their offensive line can give Colt McCoy time to throw deep, where the Oklahoma secondary is suspetible.

For Oklahoma, the return of Sam Bradford was huge, and this week, if they can get wide receiver Ryan Broyles back, they will feel even better. This would allow backs DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown to focus on the running game. This is how OU wins. They get their offensive line on track early in the run game, and Bradford takes his shots deep. The offensive line will have it's hands full with Sergio Kindle, but beyond him, this Texas defense is no the talent laden unit we've seen in the past. Last year, the Longhorns controlled both lines of scrimmage, but this year, Oklahoma should have the advantage there.

You all know I'm going to be rooting for OU. But up until last Saturday night I wasn't really thinking in terms of an upset. but now, after what happened last week, and the potential of Broyles return, there's no doubt that Oklahoma can do it. But will Big Choke Bob bring in his team pumped and ready to play, or as we've seen in the past in big games, flat and lifeless?

If your football week needs to start early, don't miss the explosive offensive of (8)Cincinnati heading down to battle the dominant defense of (21)South Florida. This mathcup is a classic battle of strength against strength.

In this corner we have Bearcat quarterback Tony Pike and that crazy efficient Bearcat spread offense. They run a hurry up no huddle spread passing offense that has been scoring at a clip of less than 2 minutes per drive. This poses a unique challenge to any defense because of substitution problems, but with USF, they should be up to the challenge. A lot will fall on safety Nate Allen who will have to keep players in position and get the calls in a hurry. He'll also have to contend with Bearcat wide out Mardy Gilyard who has no qualms about coming over the middle and make tough catches. I fully expect Pike to move the ball with success against the Bulls defense if his line can keep George Selvie and Jason Peirre-Paul out of the backfield.

In this corner we have the USF Bulls defense. They are top ten in scoring and yards allowed and have forced 16 turnovers this year. They do it by getting a ton of pressure without committing a lot of players to the rush, and that allows them to keep more people in coverage. If the Bulls can force some turnovers, kill some drives and give their offense some short fields, they will have a chance.

So if the strengths are so comparable is may come down to the Bulls offense against the Bearcat D. Both units have questions. The Bulls offense is lead by a freshman quarterback, BJ Daniels, and the Bearcats have had problems getting off the field on third time. Which of these units who come up biggest will in all likelyhood be the winner.

I'm not sure if any team has been a bigger surprise than (4)Virginia Tech. They haven't been flashy, and they don't have any big names but once they walloped Miami, everyone had to pay attention. This week they get the triple option of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

This game will come down to really one thing. If the Hokie defense can neutralize the option attack, it'll be game over. Seems in any game that Georgia Tech's offense sputters, it means that the defense ends up on the field more, and they show it.

I think the Yellow Jackets are tired of being given no respect, and they take it personal when the Hokie team comes to town. The defense will step up against quarterback Tyron Taylor, and Jonathan Dwyer is going to run roughshod over a talented Hokie defense.

The last of the big 3 for this week is USC traveling to Notre' Dame. I know that USC still has their eyes on a PAC-10 title, and a BCS Bowl, but I think this game is much bigger for Notre Dame. What a statement game this would be to beat the Trojans.

I would feel much better about this game for the Fighting Irish if they were at full strength. But minus their best wide out Michael Floyd and star quarterback Jimmy Calusen still nursing turf toe they may have their work cut out for them against an improving Trojan defense anchored by Super Safety Taylor Mays.

This game, like the Cincinnati/South Florida mathcup could be decided by the other two groups. If USC can get the run game going against the Notre dame D, they can keep Clausen and that explosive offense off the field. Something tells me USC goes in and handles this tough road challenge, which almost guarantees that Notre Dame will win. Take it for what it is.

Some quick hits-Arkansas travels to Florida in a classic David and Goliath story, Texas Tech brings that video game offense to the stout D of Nebraska, Iowa travels to the always dangerous Wisconsin Badgers, and an overrated South Carolina team heads to their doom in Alabama.

Players to watch-

Nebraska DT Ndamukong Suh-The best defensive player in the nation tries to do it all against the Red Raiders.

USC S Taylor Mays-The second best defensive player in the nation has to slow down the Fighting Irish passing offense.